College Football Playoff 2025–26 Schedule: Key Dates, Bracket, and How to Watch

The picture of the College Football Playoffs is beginning to take shape as the college football season approaches its final stretch.

The first look at the 12-team field for the 2025–26 playoffs, assuming the season ends today, will be revealed by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Tuesday, November 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The CFP selection committee moved to a straight seeding methodology this season to fill the 12-team field, and according to the most recent US LBM Coaches Poll and the most recent USA TODAY Sports CFP projections, the Big Ten and the SEC are predicted to take up most, if not all, of the top seeds in Tuesday’s unveiling.

Defending national champion Ohio State, which has an 8-0 record this season and Heisman Trophy contenders Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, is predicted to be the top overall seed. Additionally, as demonstrated by last year’s push to Selection Sunday, Tuesday’s rankings may not—and most likely won’t—look the same in roughly a month after conference championship games conclude.

How long till the postseason starts, then? Which dates are crucial in the upcoming weeks as teams try to get their sports in the field or argue for inclusion as an automatic or at-large bid following a conference championship run?

Everything you need to know about the 2025–26 College Football Playoff calendar and dates is provided here, along with information on key dates for the CFP this season and the release date of the CFP rankings:

CFP bracket schedule for 2025–2026

The first of four CFP first-round games, which will once again be held on the campuses of the No. 5 through No. 8 seeds, will kick off the 2025–26 College Football Playoff on Friday, December 19. The Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl will host the two semifinal matches, while the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl will host the four quarterfinal New York Six Bowls this year.

The national championship will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The College Football Playoff schedule for 2025–2026 is broken down here, complete with kickoff games and TV channel details:

First Round

• Friday, Dec. 19
  • Game 1: 8 p.m. ET | ABC and ESPN (Fubo)
• Saturday, Dec. 20
  • Game 1: Noon ET | ABC and ESPN (Fubo)
  • Game 2: 3:30 p.m. ET | TNT and truTV (Sling TV)
  • Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT and truTV (Sling TV)